Unobtrusive storage pocket

ABSTRACT

A system for storing personal items under a garment is provided. The system includes a storage compartment defining a pocket and an opening for permitting access to the pocket. A storage compartment support member is attached to the storage compartment. The storage compartment support member includes a sleeve for receiving a support. Upon receiving the support, the storage compartment support member provides support for the storage compartment under the garment

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/444,936, filed on Feb. 4,2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to storage pockets and, inparticular, to unobtrusive storage pockets that can be worn under agarment.

[0003] When dancing or engaged in other physical activities, it iscommon for people to desire to carry as few items as possible. Someessential items may include a form of identification, a credit card,money and a key. Most of these personal items are easily carried inone's pockets. However, not all garments have pockets. In particular,many women's garments lack pockets. Accordingly, many women carry apurse or pocketbook when wearing such garments. However, carrying apurse or pocketbook is not always desirable when dancing or engaging inother physical activities. The purse or pocket book can interfere withan otherwise flawless look and interfere with the wearer's motions.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art for an unobtrusive storagepocket that does not take away from the user's appearance or interferewith the user's motions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] One or more of the above-mentioned needs in the art are satisfiedby the disclosed storage pocket. The storage pocket may be placed undera garment to allow the user to engage in activities such as salsadancing without being inhibited.

[0006] In a first embodiment of the invention, a system for storingpersonal items under a garment is provided. The system includes astorage compartment defining a pocket and an opening for permittingaccess to the pocket. A storage compartment support member is attachedto the storage compartment. The storage compartment support memberincludes a sleeve for receiving a support. Upon receiving the support,the storage compartment support member provides support for the storagecompartment under the garment.

[0007] The details of these and other embodiments of the presentinvention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention may take physical form in certain parts andsteps, embodiments of which will be described in detail in the followingdescription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof, wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a storage pocket in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a storage pocket that includes lipstick stored with astorage sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2A shows a cross sectional view of the storage pocket shownin FIG. 2.

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a storage pocket that includes a flap in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention; and

[0013]FIG. 4 shows a storage pocket that includes a zipper in an openingin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a storage pocket 100 in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Storage pocket 100 includes a storage compartment 102defining a pocket and an opening for permitting access to the pocket.Storage compartment 102 may be formed by a single piece of material sewntogether at the opposing sides of the storage compartment. The size ofstorage compartment 102 may be conveniently sized for carryingidentification, money, credit cards and the like. A storage compartmentsupport member 104 is attached to the storage compartment. Storagecompartment support member 104 includes a sleeve 106 for receiving asupport. Support member 104 may be implemented with an elastic materialsewn above storage compartment 102. In one embodiment, a support is inthe form of a cylindrical member, such as a lipstick container.

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which a support 202 isinserted into sleeve 106. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross sectional view ofthe storage pocket shown in FIG. 2. With support inserted into sleeve106, support keeps storage compartment 106 from sliding below a desirepart of a garment, such as the waistband on a pair of pants orpantyhose. Sleeve 106 is preferably made of an elastic fabric, so thatit expands to accommodate support 202 as support 202 is inserted intosleeve 106. Support 202 may provide supporting without requiring a clipor other attachment means.

[0016]FIG. 3 shows a storage pocket that includes a flap 302 inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Flap 302 may be used toclose the opening of storage compartment 102 to provide additionalsecurity for personal items. When a user moves or dances very fast, theflap may provide additional security so that the user does not need toworry about his or her personal items.

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a storage pocket that includes a zipper 402 in anopening in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Zipper 402may be used to close the opening of storage compartment 102 to provideadditional security for personal item. Of course other conventionalclosure means may be used in other embodiments of the invention.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the storage pocketmay further include a plurality of secondary panels defining a pluralityof compartments. Moreover, the storage pocket may further include aplurality of third panels attached to another side of storagecompartment 102 defining additional storage compartments.

[0019] The unobtrusive storage pocket of the present invention may bemade of cotton fabric or lien, preferably 100% cotton or lien, as it isagainst the skin and will get sweaty.

[0020] In conclusion, herein is presented an unobtrusive storage pocket,which allows a user to hold a few personal items, such asidentification, credit cards, cash and lipstick, which can be attachedonto a garment without a clip and fits inside of a waistband, pant orpantyhose so that it is conveniently available and unobtrusive to theuser. Accordingly, the invention is embodied in the form shown in thevarious drawings. Numerous variations are possible while maintaining thespirit of the invention. Such variations are contemplated as being partof the present invention.

1. A storage device to be worn under a garment for containing personalitems comprising: a storage compartment defining a top, bottom andopposing sides, the top of the storage compartment including an openingfor permitting access to the storage compartment, and a storage sleeveattached to the top of the storage compartment for receiving aninsertable support member, the storage sleeve extending horizontallyacross a portion of the top of the storage compartment, whereby upon theinsertion of the support member, the support member extends horizontallyacross the top of the storage compartment to support the storagecompartment under the garment.
 2. The storage device of claim 1 whereinthe storage sleeve is elastic to securely hold the support member withinthe storage sleeve.
 3. The storage device of claim 2 wherein the supportmember is a cylindrical member.
 4. The storage device of claim 3 whereinthe cylindrical member is a lipstick.
 5. The storage device of claim 1wherein the top of the storage compartment includes a zipper forselective closing of the opening in the storage compartment.
 6. Thestorage device of claim 1 further comprising a flap for selectivecovering of the opening in the storage compartment.
 7. The storagedevice of claim 1 wherein the storage compartment is formed by a singlepiece of material sewn together at the opposing sides of the storagecompartment.
 8. The storage device of claim 2 wherein the storage sleeveis sewn to the storage compartment.
 9. A system for storing personalitems under a garment comprising: a storage compartment defining apocket and an opening for permitting access to the pocket, and a storagecompartment support member attached to the storage compartment, thestorage compartment support member including a sleeve for receiving asupport, whereby upon receiving the support, the storage compartmentsupport member provides support for the storage compartment under thegarment.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the storage compartmentsupport member is an elastic sleeve.
 11. The system of claim 10 whereinthe storage compartment support member is positioned above the pocket.12. The system of claim 9 wherein the storage compartment defines a top,and the storage compartment support member extends horizontally across aportion of the top of the storage compartment.
 13. The system of claim10 wherein the support is a lipstick, the lipstick being insertable intothe elastic sleeve.
 14. The system of claim 9 wherein the storagecompartment includes a zipper for selective closing of the opening inthe storage compartment.
 15. The system of claim 9 further comprising aflap for selective covering of the opening in the storage compartment.16. The system of claim 9 wherein the storage compartment definesopposing sides, the storage compartment is formed by a single piece ofmaterial sewn together at the opposing sides of the storage compartment.17. The storage device of claim 9 wherein the storage compartmentsupport member is sewn to the storage compartment.